2018 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 440 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalNov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Campaign 23V751000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hoodNov 29, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Campaign 21V932000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, belts and associated pulleysApr 12, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Campaign 19V298000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsApr 5, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
Campaign 18V221000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
440 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2022
My car has been put in PARKING on its own and won't allow me to put it back in DRIVE or REVERSE. I can't turn it off when this happens (I pressed the START/STOP PUSH button, and nothing happens) and the steering WHEEL locked up and the brakes too. This has happened to me on two occasions: one time when I stopped in a red light. When the light changed to GREEN and I released the brake to move, the car went into PARKING and locked up itself, NOTE: when I stopped in the red light the car went into AUTO idle engine mode (April 19 2022). My safety was put in risk because it happened in a busy road. On another occasion it happened when I was entered the garage slowly and I pressed the brake to completely stop, the car went into AUTO idle engine mode and then changed its own to PARKING (April 7). The car just like "turned off" although everything seems ON without warning messages. I couldn't start it until a few minutes later. After this event happened the "CRUISE CONTROL" and "LANE KEEPING Assist" features stopped working. I went to a place, and they checked the battery and the battery is not the issue.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2022
Driver Side Window malfunctioned. Honda has attempted to repair 5 times but it continues to malfunction after working for 2-3 days max.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact to have the vehicle shipped by barge to a dealer in Honolulu for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal and noticed that her vehicle was not slowing down. The contact stated that as she was approaching another vehicle, she looked to make sure she was indeed depressing the brake pedal, however it would not allow her to press down and seemed to be accelerating faster than 40 MPH. The contact stated that her vehicle then caused her to crash into the rear of another vehicle, however, the vehicle still seemed to be accelerating, even though it had crashed. The contact stated that she attempted to power the vehicle off, however, the vehicle powered itself back on. The contact stated that she powered it off 3 times before the vehicle would remain off. The contact stated that the airbags did deploy and there were no injuries reported. The contact stated a police report was filed. The contact stated she then had her vehicle towed to a tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 24, 2022
Just saw the article concerning the automatic braking in Honda CR-V's and Accords. Since purchasing my 2018 Pilot, in September 2018, this has occurred multiple times. While driving "Brake" will flash on my dash screen and a momentary braking action, along with a shimmy in the steering wheel will occur. I have never had a complete stop happen. I went to my local Honda dealers in Modesto and Stockton, CA. Spoke to their service personnel and they both had no idea what might cause this to happen. I then called Honda customer service and they hadn't heard of this problem. After it happened a few more times I called them again. I voiced my concerns of it happening and causing me to be involved in an accident. Laura, the rep I spoke to, gave me a case number (09698440) to reference should I call again. She could provide no explanation for this happening. This does not happen on a regular basis. I can go for long periods of time and nothing will happen. Then it can happen multiple times in a week.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Power train, Engine, Feb 16, 2022
Engine misfires randomly causing car to go into limp mode. Car was unable to go pass 40 mph on while trying to merge highway. It was very dangerous and scary as cars came very close to my bumper. Honda is aware of an injector issue and has extended the warranty, but this should be a safety recall.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 8, 2022
The auto engine idle "feature" automatically shuts the engine off when the car comes to a stop. This "feature" is supposed to improve gas mileage, however, I believe it is very dangerous. This "feature" has caused my vehicle to stall numerous times in stop and go traffic, requiring me to completely stop the vehicle, place it in park, and then restart the vehicle. This sequence has created several scary and dangerous situations where I was completely stopped on a busy freeway. This "feature' WILL cause accidents if it has not already caused them. This feature currently cannot be permanently disabled. It must be disabled manually every time I drive the car. I have also contacted Honda directly to notify them of this defect.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 6, 2022
The Auto-Idle feature will unexpectedly over-engage while coming to a stop and the entire vehicle will shut off. I am unable to shift, steer, etc. It will also completely shut the engine down when at a complete stop. To be clear, this is not the normal auto-idle. When the full engine disengage happens, the entire vehicle loses power and the dash flashes. The vehicle states, "put into P". Once in "P" for park, the vehicle still will not restart. It is as if the vehicle has to "reset" itself. It has taken upwards of 4 minutes for the vehicle to restart. This has happened on a highway during construction traffic, approaching a stop sign, slowing at a red light on multiple occasions. I have almost been rear-ended as a result on mutiple occasions. I am not even able to put the vehicle in Neutral to move it to a safe spot. Honda informed me that I "just need to disengage this feature each and every time I start the vehicle" . That is not the solution. This feature should be permanently disabled by Honda. Immediately.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the keyless control module unit would shut off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the keyless control module unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,372.
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2022
To Whom It May Concern: I writing in regards to a possible defect with my 2018 Honda Pilot. It is having internal electrical issues stated by the dealership and needs a keyless control module unit replaced. However, my car has been in the dealership since November 15, 2021 due to Honda not being able to get the part needed to repair. American Honda has failed to remedy the defect in my vehicle within a reasonable time period. Can someone please assist me on how I rectify this situation. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Seats, Jan 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V221000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 25, 2022
The adaptive cruise control doesnt pick up a vehicle in my lane but a vehicle to either side of me and brakes hard. Also the automatic emergency braking will pick up vehicles in the opposite lane going past me and brake hard.
Visibility, Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was no windshield washer fluid coming from the nozzle while attempting to clean the windshield. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the windshield washer fluid warning light illuminated. While attempting to replenish the washer fluid reservoir the windshield washer fluid was spilling. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that the windshield washer motor system needed to be replaced; however, the parts to repair the system were on backorder. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Power train, Nov 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lunged forward. The contact sustained whiplash from the vehicle lunging forward abruptly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the independent mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 18, 2021
Hello, below are answers to suggested questions to help describe what happened. -What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Unknown but a constant "chirping" sound is heard from the car engine area when car engine is on or "running similar to descriptions at link https://www.piloteers.org/threads/2018-honda-pilot-chirping-noise-audio-file.160027/ -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Unknown. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Negative -Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Few weeks or month after purchase in Sept 2018, dealer serviced the car and the sound disappeared but reappeared recently (approximately 3 years later). -Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No symptoms. First appearance mentioned in above answer.
Engine, Oct 12, 2021
I was driving my kids to school when I stopped at the school intersection. I go to press on the accelerator as I normally would and it would not drive, so I pressed on it a little harder as I was turning left since there were cars approaching. My vehicle suddenly jolted, making myself and the kids shift/jump from the force. I then proceeded driving down the road and let go of the accelerator, and my SUV suddenly started to feel like it was slowing itself down instantaneously. It felt like it was trying to make the vehicle's speed go down to 0. I then pressed on the accelerator again to prevent it from happening, but it continued to do so whenever I let go. I had to stop at the school's parking lot and turn off the SUV completely. When I turned it on again and began to drive, it was functioning normally. Since then, it has happened about 3 or 4 times, 1 of which happened on the expressway, which was way scarier. I had to get out of the expressway as it was dangerous. Just yesterday, I had a separate issue with the SUV that may seem related in retrospect. My SUV did not want to turn on. I experienced all of the dashboard lights flickering, and being unable to start it. It was not the battery because at some times, the radio would turn on, the lights, and the windows/locks would function normally. I was unable to get the vehicle to go to neutral, or anything then on. When the lights were not flickering, it presented me with the smart entry system light problem. Soon after, all the lights on my dashboard turned on and stated there were air bag problem, brake problem, abs problem, and etc... My vehicle is currently being looked at.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 3, 2021
My transmission is having problems. During acceleration the car will jolt forward, also when using the brakes. The dealer did recognize the problem but said it is not covered by warranty and that transmission needed to be flushed.. which was going to cost $500. He said had it been flushed before they may cover it, yet Honda doesn’t recommend a flush before 45000 per my owners manual. Very dangerous.. could cause an accident with Speed going up and down at a moments notice without you doing it
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2021
The Auto Engine Idle feature does not work properly. When the car is at a light, the engine idle is activated and the car is put into a slumber mode, when the brake is depressed. On occasion, when it is time to go, the car then turns off when the gas is depressed. This is extremely dangerous as then you are stuck at an active intersection and need to turn the car back on. I've discovered a wealth of other owners with this issue here. My issue is consistent with their reports. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/pilot/car-stall-problems.php In my research, the Honda dealers are not doing anything to fix it, and there has been no thoughtful feedback from the company. I will be taking this to our dealer as well, but am not hopeful given that it appears to be a fundamental design / software issue, not repairable in the fields. I literally have found no evidence that it is fixable without maybe a software upgrade.
Engine, Sep 24, 2021
around 30k miles the keyless system degrades. Car won't start, says key is not present. afraid of getting stranded somewhere. forum shows MANY people having this issue, I believe a recall for this is needed. Problem seems to just get worse and worse over time. happens with both key fobs, replaced batteries no difference. https://www.piloteers.org/threads/keyless-start-system-problem-error.142385/
Engine, Aug 30, 2021
I have been experiencing issues with the auto engine idle stop feature. The electrical system (radio & blue tooth) cut off and on when the auto engine idle stop tries to start again. There have even been several instances of the car cutting off completely and having to be restarted. This is very unsafe. One of the instances of the car cutting off occurred in traffic as we stopped and then started moving again. There were several people in the car at the time. The dealer has not been able to recreate the issue.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2021
The driver side sun visor fails to swing down. Dangerous to drive in bright sun Replace commercially and mechanic said this is a common Pilot failure Why is this not a recall?
Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2021
The High beams are giving a warning when driving during the day and at night. “High support system problem “. I have taken it to the dealership and they can’t find the issue and I have reported twice and they still can’t figure it out. The high beams come on and off during driving which is a safety issue for both drivers, this issue continues to occur since July 2021 and is reoccurring.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 9, 2021, crash
"SUA, Sudden Unwanted Acceleration". I was in the process of parking on the 6th floor of a parking ramp in Rochester MN, I had selected my parking slot and drove very slowly half way into my parking slot. As i was stationary about 3 meters from the front wall and getting ready to reverse for a bit in order to better align in between the white lines in my slot and before i shifted gears to reverse and while my foot was still on the brake, the vehicle experience a sudden full-speed acceleration crashing the vehicle against the wall with full force, the dashboard showed a message that the airbag malfunctioned and could not deploy. Had not there been a wall but just rails in front of my parking slot, i am afraid the vehicle would have flown from the sixth floor into the ground. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle is still under my name but in possession of GEICO, available for inspection, but because it was a total loss i was not able to bring it to the Honda dealership where i bought it. There were no warning signs that this would happen.
Engine, Jul 27, 2021
"Idle Stop System" fails to successfully restart the engine and results in a stall. Safety is put at risk as the car becomes immobilized at a traffic intersection, red lights, middle of the highway. Anywhere that you came to a complete stop and were not able to get the vehicle to reengage. I have not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer, this issue has happened multiple times and has also been very well documented by others on the internet https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/pilot/car-stall-problems.php https://www.piloteers.org/threads/elite-shuts-off-at-stop-light.157005/ The vehicle has not been inspected at this time No warning lamps or symptoms appear prior. When you lift your foot off the brake pedal the vehicle stalls and you are unable to drive the vehicle